A/N: I released my new Fanfiction, Hunter x Hunter: Unleashed, today! Check it out! I'd be super grateful if you could leave a Collection or a Power Stone! :)
Chapter Start:
Alex spends 25,000 FC at the nearby Supporter-Hub, designating Menchi as his official combat-supporter for the next mission.
Menchi smiles, satisfied, clearly itching for some combat. "It's been a while. Before we leave, we'll do some sparring as well, Alex. Gotta get back into shape!"
"I guess we can do some… though I dread the previous sparring sessions, which always ended up with your butt or your feet in my face," Alex complains, looking back with mixed feelings at their time in Heaven's Arena.
"You enjoyed that. Admit it. It made you fall in love with me," she responds with a teasing smile.
"Honestly? A simple kiss or something affectionate like an ear cleaning, a head massage, or anything like that would've been way more effective," Alex argues truthfully.
"Probably… It's too late anyway, but I can still offer you those things. How about we take care of business, and then I'll get right to it?" She smirks, her face slightly flushed.
That sounds… promising. Should've asked earlier!
"I guess we better get moving. That guy already sounded pretty pissed off. We shouldn't let him wait too long. Let's stay calm until the trade's over."
The group makes their way toward the Player Tower, walking toward the southeastern corner as indicated.
To their surprise, there's only a single person sitting at a medium-sized table with six chairs. She looks young—maybe in her early twenties—with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a soft Asian touch to her features. Alex is unable to judge her nationality just by her appearance.
"Well… she's wearing a blue shirt… but the kind of shirt I'd wear. Kinda looking androgynous there," Alex comments.
"Tereza tried to explain to me your world's new terms concerning gender and identity, but I didn't get it all," Menchi says.
"Who cares, also it's complicated? This is business, however and I couldn't give a fuck about anything else. Also, maybe she just likes shirts… whatever! Let's go."
"Hello there, Miss Storm-Rider," Alex says with a polite smile.
"Uwaahh, someone creepy just showed up. Should I be scared?!" the girl responds, acting as if she's visibly disgusted.
"Oh, come on, at least pretend to be polite," Alex complains, his mood worsening.
"Well, one-three-three-seven-three-one-two. Nice to meet you," she says with a smirk.
Alex sighs as he sits down. "I'll drop it. I'm older than you kid, and frankly tired of these childish games."
Damn brat!
Menchi also sits beside him and curiously looks at the girl—whose expression radically shifts into one of pure surprise.
"Menchi…" she mutters. "I've heard rumors… so she's your supporter? Hello there, I'm Heather. It's so nice to meet you," she says sweetly, her voice suddenly full of admiration.
Annoying… How fake can you be? Superficial bitch!
This female is strange as well—Princess Jewel finds humans quite interesting. She has figured out why she is reacting this way, but the action itself makes little logical sense.
Humans aren't always rational, Jewel. It's a weakness—but it can also be a strength. It makes them unpredictable.
"Okay… let's stop that," Menchi says, not particularly enjoying the attention. "Do you have the items?"
"Of course! I've got you three of the basic upgrade kind for your armor slot, Menchi. They only work if your Armor Rank is lower than Light-Blue."
She pulls out three round-shaped items with a strange white sheen, looking like a mix between advanced technology and an old metal ball. Alex's system immediately registers them as [Supporter Armor-Rank Upgrade].
[Supporter Armor-Rank Upgrade]
World: Fantasy Realm
Quality: Deep-Green
Effect: Upgrades the Armor rank of a Supporter. This item only works on Supporters with an Armor Rank of Deep-Green or below. The Armor Rank is limited by the Rarity of the Supporter.
Note: In a fight, your outfit says more than your words—black means serious, camo means prepared, no shirt means you're the problem.
Heh. I guess Menchi is indeed the problem.
"I won't bargain. We said 50,000 FC, so 50,000 FC it is. I'll also tell Glimmerwhisk you fulfilled your part of the deal," Alex says, pleased with the result.
"Fine… one condition, however!" Heather says, suddenly looking tense.
"We had a deal!" Alex immediately complains, ready to explode if she's going back on her word.
"I… I wanna eat something prepared by Menchi! I'll even pay… and not some pre-prepared item—something fresh!" she says, blushing.
"…You like her? Really? What do you say, Menchi? Do you like this fangirl too?" Alex smirks.
Menchi looks a little puzzled, then shrugs. "Not particularly, but I don't see why not. How about this—when we return, I'll invite you to a meal. A full course, if you'd like. In return, you tell me a few things about the Realm."
"Sure!" Heather beams… before quietly adding, "Um… may I watch…?"
"You wanna see her Armor Rank improve? I'm curious too, honestly. Her clothes will probably change." Alex guesses.
"I don't care. I wanna see if they work and improve my combat ability, that's all I really care about… although new clothes aren't exactly unwelcome either," Menchi says with a slight grin.
Yeah… your sense of fashion could use some work though… not that I'll ever tell her that.
"This doesn't work like that!" Heather explains. "Menchi can wear any clothes she likes. It's just that, if she's designated as a combat supporter, she'll be outfitted with a set of default clothes at the start of a mission. The same goes for her weapons. Even if she loses them, these items always recover or return to her within a few days—depending on a few factors. I'm not too sure myself," she admits.
Alex and Heather quickly complete the trade. He transfers 50,000 FC as promised, raising his total spending to 75,000 FC during this trip alone—enough to make him feel slightly depressed.
"Might as well use it then," Alex says, crushing the three balls one after the other.
To his surprise, Menchi's clothes briefly revert to the default outfit she wore when they first met—the one she's best known for in the manga and anime. After the first upgrade, her mesh shirt sparkles slightly, and her bikini top shifts materials, gaining a sleeker, reinforced texture.
The second upgrade modifies her long boots, enhancing them for combat and adding sleek black socks underneath.
The third upgrade adds a garter belt and improves her tiny shorts, refining them into something slightly more protective—though still outrageously skimpy and undeniably sexy.
Overall, her outfit has only changed slightly, but the difference is clear.
"You look beautiful," Alex says, blushing slightly. "However, protection-wise, nothing much seems to have changed. Maybe the materials are just a bit more durable? Let me check your status."
[Menchi]
Level: 12 (25%)
Rarity: Purple
Free Skill Slots 1/2
Skills: Potioneering (Advanced -)
Support Skills: Cooking (Advanced +), Dismantling (Advanced +), Synthesizing (Advanced)
Weapon rank: Purple
Armor rank: Light Blue
"These clothes feel incredible," Menchi says, stretching lightly. "I feel like I can move even faster and easier in them. Trust me Alex, I had my doubts as well, but your idea paid off big time. I feel like I'm clearly stronger."
Alex nods, satisfied.
As long as she says that, I'm happy! Also hopefully she's at least a little better protected.
Meanwhile, Heather stares at Menchi, clearly excited.
"Once we return, I'll prepare you something to eat. I'll go all out—it's a promise," Menchi repeats, genuinely pleased with the results.
Heather blushes and nods, silently sharing her contact details with Alex through the system.
"See you, and thanks," he says as Heather walks away—still her face still red.
"Weird girl," Menchi mutters.
Alex can't help but channel his inner Tereza, smirking as he comments, "Trust me, very rarely do I imitate Tereza… but in this case… you know… the L-word… probably."
"Yeah… I've got the same feeling. Let's leave, I'm worried about her, and I feel you are as well," Menchi admits, looking slightly embarrassed.
The group heads toward Alex's player room, exits the Realm, and returns to his apartment.
Soulmate, better cheer up, Tereza... Jewel will play with Menchi in the meantime.
Menchi catches Jewel, who jumps from Alex's head straight into her arms.
"I see what the little one wants to do—isn't she sweet? Anyway, Tereza's probably feeling down," Menchi says, softly stroking Jewel.
Alex sighs, looking around for Tereza, only to find her missing from the main room. He eventually spots her standing on the terrace, silently gazing down toward the city.
Without saying a word, he walks over and gently hugs her from behind.
"It hurts…." she murmurs.
"What hurts? I already told you—I won't let you go. Ever. I ripped that contract to shreds just to clear up inventory space. You're staying, regardless," Alex says firmly, his voice bolder and more serious than usual.
Tereza blushes slightly as she listens to him.
"Do you think we'll fail…?"he asks, quietly. "Don't forget—Glimmerwhisk and Rishi both think I can do it. Also, I've got Jewel and Menchi on my side. You'll see—it'll be easy. With my gear and skills I'll stomp anyone into the fucking ground who dares to oppose me!"
It's not a bluff either. I've grown stronger. I'll make sure I return safely, together with Menchi and Jewel, and anyone opposing me will die.
"You can do it," Tereza nods. "I'm still a bit worried, though. And… we'll be apart again."
Alex chuckles. "We'll be apart for maybe half a day, or a day. Have you forgotten how time works during missions? This one won't take months of in-world time."
Tereza perks up. "I guess… you're right. Maybe I'll just drown myself in alcohol for a while—or swallow a bunch of sleeping pills. When I wake up, you'll already be back! Let's do it like that!" she says with a huge smile.
Alex laughs. "How about you just wait patiently while I return—with a nice souvenir?"
"You promise?" she asks, turning around, her eyes swollen and red.
"I promise," he says, kissing her.
Then, without warning, he picks her up into his arms.
As he carries her inside, he murmurs, "I'm a tiny bit nervous too… you could help me calm down a little. How about that?"
"Sure," she replies with a gentle smile, stroking his head.
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